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CHAPTER 11
ARCHITECTURAL ELEMENTS
11-1. Introduction. This chapter defines
architectural elements, discusses their participation
and importance in relation to the seismic design of
the structural system, and prescribes the criteria for
their design to resist damage from seismic lateral
forces. The fundamental principle and underlying
criterion of this chapter are that the design of
architectural elements will be such that they will not
collapse and cause personal injury due to the
accelerations and displacements induced by severe
seismic disturbances, and that the architectural
elements will withstand more frequent but less
severe seismic disturbance without excessive damage and economic loss.
11-2. Definition. Architectural elements are elements such as partitions, stairways, windows, suspended ceilings, parapets, building ornamentations
and appendages, and storage racks. They are called
architectural because they are not part of the
vertical or lateral load carrying systems or the
mechanical or electrical systems. Although they are
usually shown on the architectural drawings, they
often have a structural aspect. The architect will
consult with the structural, mechanical, and
electrical engineers when dealing with these elements. Examples of architectural elements that have
a structural aspect follow.
a. Nonstructural walls. A wall is considered
architectural or nonstructural when it does not
participate in the resistance to lateral forces. This is
the case if the wall is isolated, i.e., not connected to
the structure at the top and the ends, or if it is very
flexible relative to the structural wall frames. Note
that an isolated wall must be capable of acting as a
cantilever from the floor or be braced laterally.
b. Curtain walls and filler walls. A curtain wall
is an exterior wall, usually of masonry, that lies
outside of, and usually conceals, the structural
frame. A filler wall is an infill, usually of masonry,
within the members of a frame. These are often
considered architectural if they are designed and
detailed by the architect, but they can act as
structural shear walls. If they are connected to the
frame, they will be subjected to the deflections of
the frame and will participate with the frame in
resisting lateral forces.
c. Partial infill walls. A partial infill wall is one
that has a strip of windows between the top of the
solid infill and the bottom of the floor above or has
a vertical strip of window between the one or both
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